No, rewards and crowns are not the same; crowns are separate from the rewards received at the Bema seat.
Les Feldick teaches that at the judgment seat of Christ, believers receive rewards based on their faithful service, which are primarily responsibilities in the coming Kingdom. He explicitly states that crowns are 'something else' and are to be laid at Jesus' feet.
1 Corinthians 3:12-14 — Describes the judgment of believers' works that determines rewards, distinct from salvation.
The Bible speaks of rewards for believers based on their works after salvation. In 1 Corinthians 3:12-14, Paul describes a judgment where each man's work will be tested by fire; if it endures, he will receive a reward. This reward is not salvation but an additional recompense for faithful service. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:10 indicates that all believers must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive things done in the body, whether good or bad. While the Bible mentions various crowns, such as the crown of life (James 1:12) and the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), it does not explicitly equate these with the rewards described in 1 Corinthians 3. The Greek word for reward (misthos) is used in different contexts, but scripture does not systematically define how crowns and rewards relate.
Les Feldick clearly distinguishes between rewards and crowns. He teaches that believers will receive rewards at the judgment seat of Christ (Bema) based on their Christian walk, with rewards primarily being 'levels of responsibility' in the Kingdom. He states that crowns are 'something else' and will be laid at Jesus' feet. He uses the analogy of the Dallas Cowboy quarterback to illustrate that rewards place believers in the center of activity in the Kingdom, while those without rewards will be there but on the sidelines, without envy or jealousy.
According to Les Feldick, the rewards are not material things like streets of gold or mansions, but rather 'places of responsibility' in the heavenlies and in the Kingdom. He explains that believers will rule and reign with Christ, and their level of responsibility will be based on their faithfulness in this life. He uses the parable of the talents to show that faithful service leads to ruling over cities in the Kingdom.
Les Feldick does not elaborate much on crowns in these clips, but he explicitly states that 'the crowns are something else' and that believers will lay them at Jesus' feet. He does not equate them with the rewards given at the Bema seat.
Les Feldick emphasizes that salvation is by faith alone, but rewards are earned through works. He clarifies that at the judgment seat, believers will not be judged for sin, but their works will be tested by fire. Those with gold, silver, precious stones will receive reward, while those with wood, hay, stubble will suffer loss, yet still be saved. He stresses that working for reward is part of the Christian life after salvation.
Reward is Not Salvation
Les teaches that believers receive a reward above salvation, likely responsibilities in the heavenlies.
Crowns Separate
Les explicitly states 'the crowns are something else' and are laid at Jesus' feet, distinct from rewards.
Rewards in Kingdom
Les teaches that rewards are based on Christian walk and result in levels of responsibility in the Kingdom.
Reward as Responsibility
Les explains that after fiery judgment, believers receive rewards as responsibilities for eternity, unrelated to crowns.
Parable of Talents
Les uses the parable of talents to illustrate that rewards are levels of responsibility as we rule and reign with Christ.
Working for Reward
Les stresses that salvation is a gift, but rewards are worked for, and the reward is being involved in Kingdom activity.
Sidelines vs Center
Les shows that reward brings involvement; those without reward are there but less engaged, without jealousy.
Rewards Accumulate
Les explains that works for God's glory pile up as rewards, to be cashed in at the Bema seat.
1 Corinthians 3:12-14: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
This passage describes the basis for rewards, distinguishing between works that survive the fire and those that do not.
2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
This verse is often associated with the Bema seat, where believers receive according to their deeds.
No, they are not. Les Feldick teaches that crowns are separate from rewards. Rewards are responsibilities in the Kingdom, while crowns are something else that believers lay at Jesus' feet.
According to Les Feldick, rewards are primarily levels of responsibility in the Kingdom. He uses the parable of the talents and the analogy of a quarterback to illustrate that rewards place believers in the center of Kingdom activity.
No, salvation is by faith alone, but works determine rewards. Les Feldick emphasizes that salvation is a gift, but rewards are earned through faithful service.
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